Tourism officials in Mazatlan, the Pacific coast destination that calls itself the “Colonial City on the Beach,” are upping the investment ante to promote and market the destination, spending $11.8 million in 2015. That’s up from $11.2 million in 2014 and $8.1 in 2011.
There’s good reason for the increased spend: strong statistics and positive indicators, according to Julio Birrueta, marketing director of the Mazatlan Hotel Association.
“Hotel occupancy averaged 78.5% in 2014-2015, up from 73% in 2013-2014,” Birrueta said. “Airport arrivals jumped 18%, to 380,000 passengers in the same time frame, up from 356,000 in 2013-2014,” he said.
The meetings sector is forecast to grow to 691 events this year, up from 643 in 2014.
Cruise arrivals are Mazatlan’s best illustration of forward progress since the dark days of 2012 when several cruise lines pulled out due to security concerns.
Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival and Princess Cruises are making 80 calls in Mazatlan this cruise season, a figure that will increase to 110 next season.
The resort city spent $7 million in upgrading its airport; improved the roads leading to and through the city center; will host the PGA Tour Latin America next weekend; and has invested more than $2 million in its Malecon makeover, $2.7 in upgrades to its Historic District and $9 million in a new Sports City Complex facility.
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